Baby patting machine

ABSTRACT

A device for patting a baby to sleep by means of periodic pats upon the rump or hind part of the baby, the device comprising a bracket supporting a motor having pulley on the motor shaft, and the pulley supporting an arm having a soft pad at one end which pats the baby.

United States Patent Thomas V. Zelenka Hanford, Calif. (205 S. LemooreAve., Lemoore, Calif., 93245) Nov. 7, 1968 Jan. 5, 1971 Inventor Appl.No. Filed Patented BABY PATTING MACHINE 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 128/55, l28/56, 128/61 Int. Cl A6lh 23/00 Field of Search128/54- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,062,299 12/1936Erickson l28/35X 3,403,674 10/ l 968 Alimanestiano. 128/61 3,424,149H1969 Fujimoto 128/55 Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp ABSTRACT: A devicefor patting a baby to sleep by means of periodic pats upon the rump orhind part of the baby, the device comprising a bracket supporting amotor having pulley on the motor shaft, and the pulley supporting an armhaving a soft pad at one end which pats the baby. A

BABY PATTING MACHINE This invention relates generally to nurseryequipment.

It is generally well-known to most parents of small infants and childrenthat it is sometimes difficult for the infant to fall asleep, and theparent must resort to patting the baby to sleep by repeated pats uponthe hind parts thereof. This can be a time consuming operationparticularly when the infant is restless and not likely to fall asleepeasily, and it is particularly objectionable to the parent when thistakes place during the night, thereby disturbing the parents own sleep.This situation is accordingly in want of improvement.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide a baby patting machine which will pat a baby to sleep, therebyeliminating the necessity of a parent to do the same manually for anextended period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby pattingmachine which can be operated for as long as necessary until the infanthas fallen asleep.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a baby patting machinewhich is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged inconstruction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily apparent upon a study of thefollowing specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in operativeuse, and

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof shown partly in cross section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral representsa baby patting machine, according to the present invention, which can bereadily secured to a crib 11 or to a couch or other place where aninfant is attempted to be put to sleep.

The machine 10 is comprised of an L-shaped bracket 12including avertical leg, 13 and a horizontal leg 14. A slideable bar 15 has anopening 16 therethrough near one end thereof so as to receive the leg 14of the bracket 12, the bar 15 being slideable along the leg 14 and beingselectively secured in position by means ofa wing bolt 17 threadinglyengaged to the bar 15 and in position to bear against theleg 14, thuslocking the bar in selected position. The leg 14 comprises a hollowmember receiving telescopically therein one end of a bar 18 and which isselectively secured thereto in a desired telescopic position by means ofa wing bolt 19 threadingly engaged in' the leg 14 and in position tobear against the arm or bar 18.

The bar I8 has an electric motor 20 secured thereto by means of a strap21, the motor having an electric cord 22, extending therefrom, theopposite end 'of the electric cord having a plug 23, which is receivablewithin an electric socket 24 of a house.

The motor 20 has a motor shaft 25 upon which there is secured a pulley26, the pulley having an eccentrically mounted pin 27 to which there issecured one end of an arm 28, the arm having at its opposite end a softpad 29 secured thereto in the form of a glove or mitten, as shown in thedraw- 7 In operative use, the baby patting machine may be secured overthe side bar 30 of the crib II by simply placing the bracket and slidingthe bar 15 against the crib bar 30 thus locking the same between the leg13 and bar 15, after which the wing bolt 17 is locked down securely. Afelt pad 31 may be provided upon the bar 15 and upon the leg 13, if sopreferred, so as to prevent scratching the furniture to which it issecured. The exact position of the pad 29 may be controlled by slidingthe bar 18 outwardly of the bracket leg 14 and securing it in a selectedposition by the wing bolt 19. The plug 23 is inserted into the electricsocket 24, thus causing the motor to rotate the motor shaft and pulley26, as the arm 28 rotates, the pad 29 upon each rotation will pat theinfant, as shown in FIG. I,

thus inducing the child to fall asleep, without the necessity of aparent standing by and doing this manually. It will be evident' that ifthe arm 28 is secured upon the single pin 27 the same will be carriedupwardly by resting against the motor shaft 24 and be pulled down bygravity from its uppermost position during the patting action, whichthus will simulate in feeling the pat from a hand of a person.

While various changes may be made within the detailed construction it isunderstood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a baby patting machine, the combination of a bracket, means forsecuring said bracket to a crib or couch, said bracket carrying a bar,means for longitudinal adjustment of said bar, said bar supporting anelectric motor, and means connected to said motor for patting an infantto sleep.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracketcomprises an L-shaped member having a pair of legs at right angles toeach other, one of said legs comprising a vertical leg and the other ofsaid legs comprising a horizontal leg, said horizontal leg having alongitudinal opening there within, said opening receiving said bar, saidbar carrying said electric motor, and a wing bolt threadingly engagedwithin said horizontal leg of said bracket for a bearing against saidbar for securement thereto in a selected position.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein a second barcomprises a jaw slideable along said horizontal leg of said bracket forreceiving a support means therebetween and said vertical leg of saidbracket, said second bar having an opening therethrough near one endthereof receiving said horizontal leg of said bracket therethrough, anda wing bolt threadingly engaged within said second bar, said wing boltbearing against said horizontal leg for securing said second bar in aselected position.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means forpatting an infant to sleep comprises a motor shaft on said motor, saidmotor shaft carrying a pulley, said pulley having an eccentric pin, saidpin being attached pivotally free to one end of an arm, the opposite endof said arm carrying a rubber pad for patting said infant.

1. In a baby patting machine, the combination of a bracket, means forsecuring said bracket to a crib or couch, said bracket carrying a bar,means for longitudinal adjustment of said bar, said bar supporting anelectric motor, and means connected to said motor for patting an infantto sleep.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidbracket comprises an L-shaped member having a pair of legs at rightangles to each other, one of said legs comprising a vertical leg and theother of said legs comprising a horizontal leg, said horizontal leghaving a longitudinal opening there within, said opening receiving saidbar, said bar carrying said electric motor, and a wing bolt threadinglyengaged within said horizontal leg of said bracket for a bearing againstsaid bar for securement thereto in a selected position.
 3. Thecombination as set forth in claim 2, wherein a second bar comprises ajaw slideable along said horizontal leg of said bracket for receiving asupport means therebetween and said vertical leg of said bracket, saidsecond bar having an opening therethrough near one end thereof receivingsaid horizontal leg of said bracket therethrough, and a wing boltthreadingly engaged within said second bar, said wing bolt bearingagainst said horizontal leg for securing said second bar in a selectedposition.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said meansfor patting an infant to sleep comprises a motor shaft on said motor,said motor shaft carrying a pulley, said pulley having an eccentric pin,said pin being attached pivotally free to one end of an arm, theopposite end of said arm carrying a rubber pad for patting said infant.